Gulf team sacks coach ahead of 2027 Asian Cup

The UAE Football Association announced on Saturday morning that it has terminated the contract of its Romanian coach Olario Cosmin, months before the 2027 Asian Cup kicks off.

The UAE Federation, in a statement posted on its account on the X site, said: “It was decided to terminate the contract with coach Olario Cosmin and his assistant staff and thank them for their recent efforts with the national team.”

It was noted that the new technical composition of the UAE national team will be known in the coming period.

Kosmin took over as the UAE national team coach in April 2025 on a two-year contract, but failed to lead the UAE national team to the finals of the 2026 World Cup.

He also led the UAE team in the Arab Cup and finished the tournament in third place, tied with Saudi Arabia.

The draw for the 2027 Asian Cup has placed the UAE national team in group five, alongside South Korea and Vietnam and the winner of the Lebanon-Yemen match.